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I’m not the first person who has ever written about it and I will definitely not be the last but if you’ve felt it, and I know you have… read on.

We’re all living in a world where people run from and to each other. We fight, we cry, we’re mean and then we collide. Because we need to feel something. We’re all doing everything that we do because we need to feel like we’re alive and the only thing that can make you feel it is the sense, the touch and the warmth of another human being.

In this pursuit of life, we hit roadblocks… just like the physical injuries on a sports field, our hearts get hurt, they get broken, they ache and then one day, you’re mended. No, chocolate and ice cream don’t really act like the medicine that could heal that little crack that feels so physically real, nor does drinking or whining with your oh-so-sympathetic friends. But, they definitely don’t hurt!

The road to being fixed is a long and arduous one. And best taken alone because no one will ever understand what you’re feeling better than you do. But we can be reassured in the fact that there are millions of people, since the dawn of time and till the very end of it, that have and will feel the pain of a broken heart and survive.

Nothing teaches you quite how to love like having truly done it, at least once. So heartbreak? Its nothing but life telling you, this was just your first run… next time you’ll be much better and that’s why I’m going to sign off with what the greatest poets of our time put so simply “Love, Love me do…”

Like this:

A city has the potential to be a friend, a lover, a protector or the greatest antagonist that ever was and Mumbai (Bombay) can be all these and more in one single day. Walk through the streets of the place I’ve called home, lived in and lost in with this series of articles dedicated to the city with ephemeral moods but a lasting spirit. Plunge into it with…

Cruise along the Causeway

Jewellry

Tousled haired foreigners with backpacks wander through the street, stopping when they see something that catches their eye. What follows is a raucous party of loud voices, in different languages. Each trying to convince the other that he should be listened to. That’s Colaba Causeway for you.

Senses have a tough job here as the sounds are overwhelming but the sights even more so. Clashing colours, stupendous shapes and thrifty trinkets all make their appearances. It’s difficult to mistake this street market as simply a typical tourist trap, which it is but locals swear by it as well.

Says avid shopper, Gayathry Latheef , “Shopping in causeway is fun because you never come back empty handed and you find everything you need in one street, from food to clothes to accessories and even, eye-candy.”

Mojris- For men and women

Formally known as Shahid Bhagat Singh road and informally as Colaba Causeway, it is as visited as its high profile neighbours, the Gateway of India and Taj Mahal hotel and palace. Gregory David Robert’s Colaba was one of intrigue, romance and drugs; the qualities that attract many who expect to relive his encounters.

It’s also just a street, where buyers meet sellers and relentless persuasion follows. A curtain of jewellery, bronzed, silver and gold flutters in the air, alluringly, nudging you to enter the street. Café Mondegar one of Colaba’s oldest restaurants is Iranian owned and almost always full, is the first on the street.

As you walk along, it’s hard to escape the shouts of, ‘Miss, buy this. It’s the best quality’ but if you listen carefully you can hear that the prices for the locals and the prices for the unassuming foreigners differ as the vendors try to make a quick buck off those who don’t know better, a feature at almost every touristy location.

For the clotheshorse, there’s plenty to choose from. Whether its designer knock offs or indigenous outfits, it’s all out there and within grasp if you know how to spot what you like effectively and acquire it with smart bargaining.

Stalls that sell perfect replicas of perfumes, designer watches and sunglasses tempt those that want to look stylish but don’t want to pay the full price that comes with it.

Belts

Moving on, shops sell idols of Indian gods as well as hookah’s act as a metaphor for this street, that’s one thing in the day and a diametrically different one at night.

As day turns to night, this shopper’s street transforms, with visitors telling you that they’ve been propositioned by young women and drug peddler’s, surreptiously and sometimes, openly. Cafe Leopold, one of the iconic restaurants, been here since the 1800’s has a formidable reputation that goes beyond just serving delectable vegetable samosas.

Rainbow coloured

The streets of Mumbai are ever changing; one minute something is forever and the next it isn’t there anymore. Much like Colaba causeway, a quaint, busy street in the day unrecognisable from its night avatar.

Often enough we see celebrities all glamorous making runway looks work off the ramp and models splashed on the pages of magazines looking uber-chic but we don’t all have the figures and large enough wallets to keep up those appearances.

Take inspiration from the likes of Alexa Chung who loves peter pan collars while Jessica Alba and Sarah Jessica Parker rock colour blocking.Make what’s in vogue your very own, easily and at lower prices. I’ve put together a picture and text collection of some trends that are both eclectic and easy to make a part of your everyday wardrobe.

Floral prints

Floral top

Spring may not be in the air right now but doesn’t mean you can’t infuse a little bit of flowery cheer in your wardrobe. Remember not to go over the top and wear more than one floral piece in your outfit. Go completely bohemian with a flowing skirt, combine printed tops with formal pants or jeans, wear a pretty dress or just spice up a one coloured outfit with a floral scarf or bag.

Colour blocking

Colour blocking

Not one for the faint hearted, this trend has been making waves all over the world. Combine contrasting, complementing or completely crazy colours together for a fun and totally fashion forward look. Don’t pair two colour blocked items of clothing together or you’ll look like a paint company’s brochure. Don’t be afraid to wear yellow with green or two shades belonging to same family.

Polka Dots

Polka dotted dress

These feisty things never seem to be off trend. A totally stylish little black dress (LBD) with a feisty twist is one that stays away from the stereotypes of fitted , solid coloured and cleavage baring. This peter pan collared, polka dotted, flowing but structured dress complements a number of body types.

Bold Bottoms

Green bottoms

Red pants

So, blue jeans have been a wardrobe staple ever since they made their debut oh so many years ago. Now’s the time for some vivid change! Pair bright hued pants or jeans with solid colours that makes for a look that has plenty of ‘pop’ but doesn’t look over the top.

I do not presume to be an expert on fashion but clothes are an extension of our personality and reflective of our moods and emotions. Use clothes well, interpret trends your own idiosyncratic way and you’ll find that they’re the perfect, pleasurable way to express yourself.

We all have a long list of things that we regret. It’s of many types; we either regret not doing or saying something or regret the fact that we did do it. Anybody who claims to breeze through life without having felt this emotion is either lying or has attained nirvana.

Regret is that nauseous feeling that threatens to overwhelm you after you eat way too many sugary treats or when you realize that guy you were with last night, doesn’t look half as good in the daylight or understand big words. Thats when you feel regret but think f**k.

What ties all sorts of regret together is the fact that no matter how much we try, how hard we work what’s done is done and cannot be reversed. Sometimes you let go of a good thing only to realize too late what it could’ve meant in your life and sometimes you’re too late in preventing something that shouldn’t have gone on for that long anyway.

Most importantly, rarely does regret involve only you, it affects and is bolstered by other people and that is why don’t selfishly try and assuage your guilt by trying to compensate for what you’ve done. Once the time has passed, stick to your decision and live by it because justifications mean nothing.That’s why they say life is so long, it takes a split second to make the wrong choice but forever to live it down.